A reader wrote in—excited—to tell us she had located a PVC-free tub mat, and she had to share the good news.

Having a baby can make you obsessive about all sorts of things you never thought would interest (let alone captivate) you. Take the floor. Yes, the floor. It's a safety thing—cushy coverings can break all sorts of falls and the bathtub seems much less scary with a tub mat. It's also a keep-the-baby-mess-off-everything measure.

The problem is that so many of the above safety-and-mess guards are made with earth- and health-unfriendly materials. But there are safer products on the market, and good choices really do affect your bundle—and the earth he or she has inherited.

MATERIALS TO AVOID AND WHY

Vinyl (a.k.a. PVC)

There are so many reasons to avoid this flexible plastic. Here are two excellent ones: It's very bad for people, and it's horrible for the environment. That so-specific vinyl smell is actually emitting phthalates, which are hormone disrupters. Infants and toddlers inhale more of this than adults do, and their still-developing systems are far more vulnerable to the potential hazards.

Detrimental by-products include dioxins, carcinogens formed when chlorine gas is used, such as in the manufacture of PVC. They've been found everywhere from whale tissue to human breast milk. Vinyl is also extremely difficult to recycle. Oh, yeah: PVC also often contains lead.

Synthetic rubber

Try this exercise: Google (or Blackle-it, a search engine that saves energy because the screen is predominantly black) "synthetic rubber" and read about the various polymers and chemicals that go into its manufacture. Then think about all the unpronounceables (or scary pronounceables) that go into the mix: They are likely to emit chemicals into the air of a room if you lay down tiles made from the stuff.

Foam

Standard, cushy foam often contains and releases quite toxic flame-retardant chemicals. They easily escape the material and become part of your house dust, which then, of course, gets on the tykes' hands and into their mouths. Lately, high levels of flame-retardant chemicals have been found in breast milk.

MATERIALS TO LOOK FOR INSTEAD

Opt for natural materials like wool and cotton, cork, and natural rubber—which is made from rubber trees, not chemicals.

Instead of rubber mats, use small cotton or wool carpets, which can be put in the washing machine. For a thicker option, go for a deep-pile natural-wool rug. Just make sure the backing on it is woven instead of glued; adhesives let off gases you'd rather not be breathing. Check out Ikea, Natures Carpet, Green Depot, Merida Meridian, Flor Is Green, and Cork Floor.

GREEN OPTIONS

Nonskid Rug Pads

Hey, did you know most rug pads or grippers or whatever you want to call them are made out of PVC? Ick. Get a natural-rubber one instead. Check out Green Sage and The Organic Mattress Store.

Bathtub Mats

Recurring theme alert! Did you know that most mats that help prevent babies from slipping in the tub are made from PVC? Check out Vitafutura, which sells PVC-free tub mats that, according to the site, are eco-friendly (though it doesn't, to be honest, say what it is made of).

Splashmats/Tablecloths

Mimi the Sardine fabrics are made of acrylic-coated cotton and nylon fabrics that meet the Oeko-Tex 100 standard, which evaluates and screens for harmful substances within processed textiles intended to come into close contact with consumers. These fabrics are exactly what you need for under a messy eater's high chair or for anyone learning how to paint. Bonus: The Swedish prints are totally adorable. Check out Mimi The Sardine or Reuseable Bags.

Wool Mattress Pads

As we mentioned, vinyl isn't what you want little growing lungs to be inhaling all night (or all nap) long, but most crib mattress are wrapped in the stuff. Cover your mattress with a pure wool puddle pad instead. Don't believe wool will adequately block moisture? Wool contains lanolin, which is nature's water barrier. Check out Dax Stores, Satara-Inc.

Changing Pads

These contoured, waterproof pads are so helpful in the early months, when you change a zillion diapers a day and worry about leaving someone so teeny on the dirty floor. But not only are they foam, they're covered in vinyl. (Lexy had such a hard time trying to find an alternative when her daughter was born two years ago that we almost went into the manufacturing business. But then we remembered we're writers. Not. Good. With. Numbers.)

However, now there is a natural latex changing-table mattress, albeit pricey, available from Dax Stores. A cheaper option is to buy a very thick pad (organic fleece is supercozy). Consider covering with old flannel pillowcases or hospital swaddling blankets or even kitchen towels—they're easier to wash than the pads. Check out Our Green House, Pure Home Products, Tiny Birds Organics.

Portable Changing Pads

Why, oh, why do all diaper bags come with vinyl pads? For PVC-free, tuck-in-your-bag ease, there are safer, greener options available. For example, Fleurville has PVC- and Teflon-free mats (and diaper bags) made out of recycled plastic bottles. Check out Dwell Studio, Patemm.

Buh-bye toxic mats!